Steve Curl feels fortunate to have chosen to pursue the artist’s life, as it has allowed him to spend his time as he wishes and earn a living from making art and teaching. He loves being outdoors and in the wilderness, painting from his direct experience on hikes and excursions where he has spent awe-struck moments in each of these landscapes. The expression of the infinite is always there in front of us, if we are open to seeing and receiving it. Watercolor, to him, is very natural as it is basically pigment and water on paper and how these two elements organically interact.
To Steve, watercolor is simple, spontaneous, and surprising, yet challenging to control. It is a joyfully portable medium with supplies easily stowed in a backpack. Set-up and cleanup are relatively easy and paintings dry within 10 minutes of completion. This affords him the opportunity to record his visual impressions quickly and with a natural freshness. If he is not deliberately on location to paint “plein air”, he’ll often take photos, do a small, quick study on the spot, then finish a larger painting back in his studio.
All of Steve’s paintings seek to capture his experience where a turn in the trail has caught his eye, and he is again witness to the rush of beauty and the expression of light displayed before him. It is a constant gift to see and be attentive to these instances. His paintings are his response to these inspired moments, an expression of what is fresh, immediate, and alive, and what in his estimation is true and real. He hopes others enjoy them.
Bring fish, birds, and wildlife into your watercolors with these fundamental animal painting techniques.
These three in-depth tutorials reveal gentle ways to suggest scales, feathers, and natural environments.
Working with photos, each unique creature emerges through flowing brushwork, from goldfinch to eagle to exotic fish.
Create vibrant abstract watercolors with techniques from Steve Curl and William Dunn.
These three tutorials show ways to build compositions through color, texture, and expressive brushwork.
Move beyond traditional subjects as two artists share their unique approaches to non-representational painting.
Paint lilies, tulips, and garden favorites with artists who’ve mastered floral watercolors.
These four tutorials from Vinita Pappas and Isabella Kung reveal ways to capture each flower’s delicate beauty.
From loose petals to detailed blooms, learn techniques that make your garden subjects bloom on paper.
You’ll learn the fundamentals of watercolor and become confident with your brush, so you can follow any painting tutorial in the future!
